Genomics and Genetics Research Uncovers Insights into Lung Microbiota

Researchers at the University of Belgrade have published a study on the interactions between lung microbiota and healthy or diseased human primary bronchial epithelial cells. The findings suggest that beneficial bacteria, such as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BGPKM22, have a positive effect on healthy cells but not on diseased cells. The study also reveals that the adhesion and fitness of the beneficial bacteria are affected by the health status of the cells. Furthermore, the research found that interaction with healthy cells stimulates the synthesis of exopolysaccharide layer of the strain BGPKM22.

Key Takeaways:

• The research identified 52 and 45 genes that showed a change in expression when healthy and diseased human primary bronchial epithelial cells interacted with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BGPKM22, respectively.
• The genes IQCN, LINC0I554, KCNBI, and CDK7 indicated a specific response of human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to the BGPKM22 strain, regardless of the health status.
• Markedly more genes showed a change in expression in the BGPKM22 strain in interaction with healthy than with diseased cells, 486 and 101, respectively.
• Interaction with human bronchial epithelial cells caused a stress to bacteria, but the response of bacteria depended on the health status of the cells.
• The adhesion of the BGPKM22 strain was better to healthy, than to diseased cells.
• The fitness of the BGPKM22 strain increased only in interaction with healthy, but not with diseased cells.
• Interaction with healthy, but not with diseased cells, stimulated the synthesis of exopolysaccharide layer of the strain BGPKM22.
• Beneficial effects of bacteria can be diminished in interaction with diseased cells.

Statistics:

• 486 genes showed a change in expression in the BGPKM22 strain in interaction with healthy cells.
• 101 genes showed a change in expression in the BGPKM22 strain in interaction with diseased cells.
• 52 genes showed a change in expression when healthy human primary bronchial epithelial cells interacted with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BGPKM22.
• 45 genes showed a change in expression when diseased human primary bronchial epithelial cells interacted with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BGPKM22.

Sources:

• Beneficial Effects of lactiplantibacillus Plantarum Bgpkm22 Manifest Only In Interaction With Healthy, but Not With Diseased Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells. Beneficial Microbes, 2025;16(3):329-345.
• NewsRx. Data on Genomics and Genetics Described by Researchers at University of Belgrade (Beneficial Effects of lactiplantibacillus Plantarum Bgpkm22 Manifest Only In Interaction With Healthy, but Not With Diseased Human Bronchial Epithelial ...). Respiratory Therapeutics Week. July 7, 2025; p 1021.